Plural relay-relay bar



Dec. 2, 1958 G. BRAUMANN PLURAL RELAY-RELAY BAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4,- 1957 .m /d F14 n w w w Dec. 2, 1958 G. BRAUMANN PLURAL RELAY-RELAY BAR Filed Sept. 4, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 2, 1958 UM 2,863,020

1 PLURAL RELAY-RELAY BAR Filed Sept. 4, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 flueiz 027 krzaozrar Jraamazam United States Patent PLURAL RELAY-RELAY BAR Giindokar Braiimann, Munich, Germany, assignor to Siemens & Halske Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin and Munich, Germany, a corporation of Germany Application September 4, 1957, Serial No. 681,992 Claims priority, application Germany September 7, 1956 30 Claims. (Cl. 200-104) This invention relates to relay bars and is particularly concerned with an easily assembled relay bar requiring little space, made of individual parts that may be produced at low cost, comprising rapidly operating parts forming switching relays utilizing simultaneous attraction and repulsion of armatures responsive to energization' of respectively associated magnet coils, and employing parts of the iron circuits as electrical conductors.

The invention is realized by providing for each relay a generally E-shaped flux member which is supplemented by a generally U-shaped core member to form two iron circuits, such circuits being closed by way of an armature disposed above the central leg of the flux member, in attracted position thereof, and assembling the flux members and core members of all relays of a relay bar, which are made of stamped parts, in such a manner that adjacently positioned legs of the parts of neighboring relays form a common leg.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, all parts of the relay bar, which need not be individually made for functional reasons, are made in the form of flat punched parts, thereby providing for low cost production, also facilitating assembly operations, and making it possible to mount an entire relay bar without the use of fastening means such as screws and the like, by simply plugging-in into a suitably constructed insulating carrier. The individual parts and the carrier are constructed so that adjustment operations become unnecessary.

The various objects and features of the invention will appear in the course of the description which is rendered below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1a to 1d show structural parts forming a basic unit for a relay bar according to the invention;

Figs. 2a to 2c illustrate an insulating carrier for a relay bar equipped with two flux members, also showing an example of the coil assembly and the soldering tabs therefor;

Fig. 3 shows a front elevationalview of a section of an assembled and mounted relay bar; and

Figs. 4a to 40 indicate modifications for some of the features,

Referring now first to Fig. la, numeral 29 indicates the comblike flux strip or member comprising relatively short legs 30 and relatively long legs 31. This flux strip is covered with an insulating layer 32, except for some predetermined portions thereof. Each of the long legs 31 is provided with an car 33.

Fig. lb shows five armatures for cooperation with the firm strips of Figs. 1a, each armature being formed by a springlike element 34 connected with the short leg of a substantially L-shaped metal strip 35. As will be presently explained, each metal strip serves for mounting the corresponding armature. The long L-leg of the metal strip terminates in a soldering tap 36. The armature carries a barrel-like contact point 46.

Fig. illustrates a core member or strip 37 which comprises a plurality of legs corresponding in number to the number of the relatively short legs 30 of the flux strip of Fig. 1a, such legs carrying respectively L-shaped and T-shaped embossed portions 38.

Fig. 1d represents a contact strip member 39 for completing the basic unit, comprising a plurality of legs corresponding in number to the number of legs carried by the core strip according to Fig. 1c. The two outer legs at the opposite ends are extended, one of such legs terminating in a soldering tab 40. Further soldering tabs 41 and 42 extend from the outer legs. Numerals 43 and 44 indicate resilient ears punched from the material of the legs, such ears serving, as will be presently explained, for the mounting of the contact strip. Rectangularly shaped extensions 45 are provided along the inside of the contact strip, between the various legs, such extensions carrying barrel-shaped contact points 47. The cooperation of these contact points with the corresponding contact points 46 upon the respective armatures 34 (Fig. lb) produces twincontacts. The contact points 47 extend at right angle to the contact points 46 of the armatures and form in this manner two contact-making points. Two of the contact points are entirely independent of each other which is advantageous in the prevention of chattering. The contactcarrying extensions 45 are crimped to tension them for proper operation.

The above described parts are shown separated but in relative positions in which they appear when assembled. Accordingly, the armatures 34 (Fig. 1b) are disposed for their whole length upon the corresponding relatively long flux legs 31 (Fig. la); the longer'legs of the L-shaped mounting parts (Fig. 1b) will respectively engage the short legs of the flux strip lying between the long legs 31 (Fig. 1a); the core strip (Fig. 10) will be in position slightly spaced from the armatures (Fig. 1b); and the contact strip' (Fig. ld) will be in engagement with the core strip (Fig. 1c).

The two iron circuits mentioned before are formed by the parts when assembled as described. The air gaps between the legs of the core strip (Fig. 1c) and the legs of the flux strip (Fig. 1a) have no detrimental effect on the magnetic operations of the relays because the spacing between the two parts is very small and because they are opposite each other over a large area. The spacing between the points of engagement must not exceed a predetermined amount for reasons of economical production of the carrier for the described structural parts as well as for efficient assembly thereof. The embossings 3S on the legs of the core strip (Fig. 1c) which appear upon the side facing the flux strip (Fig. 1a) reduce the spacing, which is effective for the behavior of the parts so far as the flux circuit is concerned, beyond the spacing required for the reasons mentioned. The working air gap proper will accordingly appear between the free ends of the armatures and the barlike portions which interconnect the legs of the core strip.

Energizing coils are provided in the vicinity of the working air gap, embracing the intermediate legs of the flux strip (Fig. la) and the armature (Fig. lb). Upon energization of such a coil, divided flux will result because the flux produced will be carried back over the short leg adjacent the corresponding long leg of the flux strip, resulting in attraction of the armature by the corresponding leg of the core strip. The armature is at the same time repulsed from the long leg of the flux strip throughout the length thereof, because, as may be easily seen from the drawing, the armature and the long leg of the flux strip, which is normally engaged thereby, are identically poled while the part of the core strip leg lying opposite the armature end is oppositely poled.

Responsive to attraction of the armature, the contact 46 will engage the corresponding contacts 47 of the contact strip (Fig. ld), thereby closing a circuit extending from'the soldering tab 36 of the armature 'to one or more 3 of the soldering tabs" 40-42 of the contact strip. A switch-over'circuit is upon attraction of the armature affected to energize a holding coil which also embraces the armature and the intermediate leg of the flux strip at a place rearward of the free end of the armature and of the energizing coil embracing these parts.

It is, however, also possible to provide one holding coil for each two neighboring relays. In such a case, one coil is disposed so as to embrace the short leg lying between two long legs of the flux strip. Energization of such coil may be utilized for selectively holding one of the armatures disposed on the two sides of the shorter leg. The coil may, however, serve for producing a flux sufficient for holding two neighboring armatures. There is furthermore the possibility to affect more than two relays by a single holding coil by placing such coil about a corresponding number of legs of the core strip.

The energizing coils are, as noted before, disposed in the immediate vicinity of the armature air gap, thus delivering maximum energy. The iron cross-section of the entire relay bar is effective for the magnetic return flux upon energization of one relay, thus producing by such multiple utilization, with much less iron per relay an affect which is in known relays obtained by the use of heavy yokes. In addition, stray flux has less effect on neighboring relays. As already mentioned, the magnetic impedance is reduced because of the large surfaces facing the air gaps between the legs.

The normal position of non-energized relays is reliably secured. It has been found, for example, that relays disposed adjacent an energized relay do not show the slightest arrnature motion even in the presence of tenfold energizing power supplied to the corresponding neighboring relay. The iron cross-sections within a coil and a leg become magnetically saturated even with the lowest number of armature winding turns, thus providing security against false actuation of the relays of the arrangement. The surfaces of the working air gaps are small as compared with the surfaces of the legs.

The parts illustrated in Figs. 1a to 1d and described above, assembled with suitable coils, sufiice to form a relay bar. However, for sundry reasons, for example, for better utilization of the iron path, it is of advantage to equip a flux strip, such as shown in Fig. In, on both sides, that is, to dispose on each side thereof, armatures as well as slightly spaced therefrom a core strip in engagement with" a contact strip. The number of contact points is thus doubled. This number may again be doubled by arranging two doubly equipped flux strips one next to the other. The expenditure, so far as the number of energizing coils and the holding coils is concerned, will not be greater than in a case using merely the parts according to Figs. la-ld. The capacity of such a bar may obviously be increased further by the provision of further similarly equipped flux strips.

Figs. 2a to 20 show insulating carrier means for a relay bar equipped with two flux strips, also showing an eX- ample of the coil disposal and the soldering terminals therefor.

Referring to Figs. 2a to 20, the carrier 1 comprises a bar 2 carrying integral therewith box-shaped members 3 and 4 extending respectively rearwardly and forwardly of the bar 2.

The members 3 are provided With interior ribs 5-9. The ribs 7 extend rearwardly through (to the side from which the flux strips are inserted as will be presently described). Forwardly of the bar 2 (to the side at which will be disposed the free ends of the armatures) there are formed. guide ways 10 while the opposite side carries an extension 11 for mounting circuit parts, for example, rectifiers. Apertures 12 are formed in the bar 2 within the regions of the parts 3. Notches 13 are formed in the parts 3 rearwardly. of the bar 2.

The boxlike members 4 carry on one interior wall thereof grooves 14, 15 formed therein and extending 1 therethrough; in addition, dovetail grooves 16 and 17 are formed'therein which extend only for half the depth rearwardly thereof. Coils free of spools, such as shown at 18 are placed respectively upon the forwardly extending portions of the boxlike members 4. Similar coils are in similar manner placed upon the rearwardly extending portions of the members 4 or, if only one holding coil is provided for two adjacent relays, upon the boxlike members3.

A comblike strip 19 is provided for connecting the terminals of the coils. This strip is plugged into the carrier with the legs 22 and 21 gliding into the guide grooves 10 in the parts 3. Resilient laterally biased ears 23, 24 secure the strip 19 against undesired removal. Angularly displaced parts 20-22 serve for pressure engagement with the walls of the guide grooves. The leg 21 terminates in a soldering tab; similar soldering tabs are formed at 25 and 26. Extensions 27 provide for conned tions for the coil terminals. At the other side of the bar 2, as shown in Fig. 2b, soldering tabs 28 are plugged into the guide ways 17 ,and respectively held by resiliently acting ears provided thereon.

The mounting or assembling of the parts forming the relay bar is in simplest manner effected by plugging the individual parts into the carrier 1. After the coils are put in place, the flux strips (Fig. 1a) are inserted from the rear, the legs thereof gliding respectively between the ribs 5-6 and 8-9 of the member 3 and the ears 33 gliding respectively along the notches 15 and M of the parts 4. These notches are matched to the ears 33 to secure the proper positions of the respective flux strips, thereby obviating later adjusting operations so far as the armatures are concerned, which are put in place subse quently, likewise from the rear, along the corresponding sides of the flux strips, the armatures thereby assuming positions in engagement with the longer legs of the flux strips. The crimps in the mounting elements 49 for the armatures (Fig. lb) secure pressure disposal of the armatures with respect to the surfaces of the corresponding legs of the flux strips. Nipples 48 (Fig. 11)) on the armature mountings 49 effect pressure engagement with the corresponding flux legs. Nipplelike protrusions 5'0 in the insulating layer of the fiux strip (Fig. 1a) provide for tensioning of the armatures such, that the free ends thereof, which carry the contact points, are in pressure engagement with the respective flux legs. This simple way of disposing the armatures results in the further advantage of placing the interconnecting portions 35 and the mounting 49 under a torsional stress, thereby eliminating to a far reaching extent fatigue phenomena and producing a relatively fiat rise for the armature attraction curve.

The relay bar is thereupon equipped with the core strips and with the contact strips shown respectively in Figs. 1c and 1d. Contact strips are for this purpose placed respectively upon core strips, with the contact points tacing the latter, and are inserted between the corresponding ribs of the carrier. In the illustrated example, there are required four core strips and a corresponding number of contact strips. The first pair of these strips is plugged into the carrier (Figs. 2a to 20) from the front with the legs entering between the ribs 5. and the wall opposite thereof. The spacing between the ribs 5 and the opposite wall permits easy insertion of the strips, the crimp in the contact strip securing the parts firmly in proper position in which the resilient ears 43, 44 snap back to lock the parts against removal. The second pair is inserted with the legs between the ribs 6 and 7. It is clear, of course, that the contact strip must again lie upon the side of the core strip which faces away from the flux strip. The second level, which is separated from the first level by the wider ribs 7 terminating rearwardly in a bar, is equipped in similar manner, with the legs of the corresponding core strips and respectively associated contact strips disposed between the ribs 7, 8 and 9 and the walls of the member 3. Extensions 51, 52 on the member 4 of the carrier (see Fig. 2c) secure the proper position of the core strips within the region of the working air gap by engagement of the wider portions 53 (Fig. 1c) of the core strips.

Fig. 3 shows in front elevational view part of an assembled relay bar. The parts 54 are rectifiers, there being one rectifier for each relay.

Figs. 4a to 40 indicate possibilities for modifying some of the features.

As indicated in Fig. 4a, the flux strip having the flux legs 31 may be made of magnet steel. The permanent fiux is normally closed over the flux strip insulation 32 and the armature members 34. The latter are, accordingly, attracted. When the coil, embracing the corresponding flux leg and the armatures 34 associated therewith, is energized, the flux in the armatures will be reversed. The armatures which are now identically poled as the flux leg are repulsed from the flux leg and at the same time attracted by the oppositely poled core legs 37. The advantage of such structure resides in increased sensitivity and energy affecting the armatures in normal position thereof.

Fig. 4b shows how the armatures may be constructed to indicate from the front in simplest manner whether they are in normal or in attracted position. The armatures are for this purpose extended as shownin connection with the armatures 34 and angularly bent at the free ends thereof so that they conceal the frontal edge of the corresponding flux leg 31 when they are at normal. Accordingly, such frontal edge will only be visible when the corresponding armatures are actuated, that is, when they are attracted by the core legs 37. The frontal flux edges may be colored, for example, with fluorescent paint, to facilitate the desired indication.

It may be desirable in some cases, for better accessibility, to dispose the contact points on the contact strip 39 facing outwardly instead of rearwardly as in Fig. 1d. This may be done, as shown in Fig. 4c, simply by slightly changing the structure of the contact strip. For example, the legs of the contact strip may be extended outwardly from the barlike interconnecting part 39 and provided with contact-carrying ears disposed in pairs perpendicular to the axes of the respectively cooperating armatures. Numerals 41', 40, 43' indicate parts corresponding respectively to 41, 40, 42 in Fig. 1d. The contact points may again be barrellike members carried by the ears. The armatures must be likewise extended in such a structure. The corresponding armature extensions may be made narrower than the armature members proper to avoid undesired increase of armature weight. The narrower extended armature portions may likewise be provided with barrellike contact points. The inner contact ears nearest to the pivot axes of the armatures may be made wider than the outer ears to secure proper operation of the twin contacts carried thereby.

It will be. understood, of course, that the relay bar may be equipped with contacts of different functional type, for example, contacts which are normally closed.

The relay bars'may be mounted on suitable frames or boards side by side and vertically in successive rows or bays. The wire multiple provided within the individual relay bar may be extended to include several vertically successive relay bars. The soldering tabs 41 (41') and 42 provided on the contact strips shown respectively in Figs. 1d and 4c may take different form, for example, they may extend angularly or in staggered relationship, to effect desired interconnections between neighboring relay'bars. The relay bars are preferably mounted so closely side by side, that interconnection may be established simply by soldering corresponding tabs together. The same applies to interconnections to be eifected between the terminal strips 19, Fig. 2a, which are provided for the coils. The soldering tabs 25, 26 may be employed for the desired purpose. If such interconnections are not desired, the corresponding soldering tabs may be omitted, bent out of the way or cut off, because the contact strip as well as the coil terminal strips remain accessible for wiring from the rear of the relay bars.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a multiple relay bar comprising a plurality of electromagnetic relays, a generally E-shaped magnetic flux element for each relay, a generally U-shaped core element for each relay which supplements said flux element to provide for two iron circuits, an armature for each relay overlying the central leg of said flux element, means for respectively energizing said armatures to effect repulsion thereof from the respective legs of said flux element and simultaneous attraction by the corresponding leg of said core element, thereby closing the corresponding iron circuits, means for establishing an electrical circuit extending over part of at least one of said iron circuits, the legs of said flux elements and of said core elements of all relays forming respectively comblike structures assembled side by side with the legs belonging to mutually adjacent relays forming a common leg.

2. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising an insulating layer carried by said flux element.

3. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, wherein said flux element is made at least in part of permanent magnet steel.

4. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising a core element having embossings formed thereon.

5. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising generally L-shaped means for mounting each armature which is respectively connected thereto and forms a generally U-shaped structure therewith, said L-shaped mounting means being also operative for restoring its respective armature from actuated to normal position thereof.

6. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising a comblike contact element overlying the comblike structure of said core elements.

7. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 6, comprising contact means carried by said contact element at places overlying respectively the central legs of said flux elements.

8. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 6, comprising extensions projecting outwardly from the legs of said comblike contact element, and contact means carried by said extensions in general alignment with the central legs of said flux elements.

9. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising armatures disposed on each side of said flux element, said core element having a core leg for each armature, and a contact element overlying each core leg.

10. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising armatures disposed on each side of said flux element, the free ends of said armatures extending angularly to conceal corresponding legs of said flux element in normal position of said armatures.

11. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 10, wherein the legs of said flux element are provided with color to facilitate recognition thereof responsive to actuation of armatures respectively associated rvith said flux legs and consequent exposure of said flux egs.

12. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising an insulating carrier provided with guide means for plug-in mounting of said elements.

13. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising armatures disposed on each side of said flux element, said core element having a core leg for e ch armature,v a contact m mber for each core, an. insulating carrier provided, with guide means for plug-in mounting of parts. named herein, and means for securing said parts in plugged-in position.

14. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 13, comprising a plurality of sets of the named parts disposed in plug-in relationship in several levels of said carrier.

15. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising an insulating carrier provided with guide means for plug-in mounting of said elements, said carrier comprising a plurality of boxlike members corresponding in number to the number of legs carried by said flux element, said members forming said guide means, and a barlike member integral with said boxlike members from which the latter members extend on either side thereof.

16. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 15, comprising respectively grooves and extensions formed in said box-like members and constituting said guide means. i

17. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 15, comprising coil means disposed upon predetermined boxlike members.

18. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 15, comprising energizing coil means for each relay disposed upon a predetermined boxlike member on one side of said barlike member.

19. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 18, comprising holding coil means disposed in relation to predetermined boxlike members on the other side of said barlike member.

20. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 15, comprising energizing coil means disposed upon predetermined boxlike members on one side of said barlike member, and holding coil means for two predetermined relays disposed on the other side of said barlike member and embracing part of the .corresponding flux elements of said relays. v

21. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising an insulating carrier including boxlike members, guide means in said boxlike members for plug-in connection of said elements, a comblike contact element, and guide means in said boxlike members for plug-in insertion of said contact element.

22. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising an insulating carrier provided with guide means for plug-in mounting of said elements, said carrier comprising a plurality of boxlike members correspending in number to the number of legs carried by said flux element, said boxlike members forming said guide means, a barlike member integral with said boxlike members from which the latter members extend on either side thereof, coil means disposed upon predetermined boxlike members, and contact means for said coil means for plugin disposal in said carrier.

23. Astructure and cooperation of parts according to claim 22, comprising soldering tabs carried by said contact means.

24. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising an insulating carrier for said elements, and rectifier means for each relay mounted upon said insulating carrier.

25. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 1, comprising substantially flat stamped parts forming said comblike structures, individual mounting means for each armature forming a substantially flat generally Ushaped body therewith for disposal between said flux and said core elements, contact means carried by each armature, a substantially flat stamped comblike member for disposal adjacent to and alongside of said comblike structure forming said core elements, and contact means carried by said last-named member for cooperation with the contact means carried by said armatures.

26. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 25, comprising an elongated insulating carrier having guide means disposed at a plurality of levels thereof for receiving said comblike structures and said armatures in plug-in manner withrespect thereto.

27. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 26, comprising coil means disposed upon said carrier and embracing predetermined parts of said flux element and the respective armatures for selectively actuating said armatures.

28. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 27, comprising further coil means disposed upon said carrier for holding armatures of predetermined relays in actuated position thereof.

29. A structure and cooperation of parts according to claim 28, comprising a further comblike member forming terminal means for said coil means.

30. A structure and cooperation of parts accordingto claim 29, wherein said comblike members forming respectively said core elements and said contact means for cooperation With the contact means of said armatures are inserted into said carrier from one side thereof While said armatures with the respectively associated mounting means and said comblike member forming said flux elements are inserted into said carrier from the other side thereof.

No references cited. 

